Elena Carter's world is turned upside down when she elopes with her boyfriend, Aaron, only to be kidnapped by the dangerous crime lord, Ezra Lockwood. Held captive in his mansion, Elena uncovers a dark web of lies, betrayal, and murder, leading her to question everything she thought she knew. As secrets unravel and lives are shattered, Elena's path to vengeance intertwines with a forbidden romance, and she must navigate a web of manipulation, deceit, and heartache to uncover the truth and seek justice.
Author's POV
On one of the streets of Madison, a young man around 25 years old stood with a phone pressed to his ear. From his serious expression, it was clear the conversation was important.
"Are you sure you want to do this? Think again, Elena. After this, there's no way back. Look, I'm ready, but I know this will be the hardest thing for you to do. So... think carefully."
"I'm sure. Very sure, actually. I don't want to stay here. I can't marry someone I don't even know-he's so old! My father has gone crazy ever since he learned about you. He will surely marry me off to him. So, yeah, I think this is the better option, and I'm ready."
"Alright then, I'm on the backstreet near your house, waiting for you. Come quickly."
"Okay, I'll be there in five minutes," she said before hanging up.
Dressed in a red bridal outfit, Elena hurriedly grabbed two pieces of cloth and ran to the bathroom. When she came out, her jewelry was gone, her makeup wiped clean, and her hair undone. She picked up a bag from the table, emptied its contents onto the bed, and began stuffing it with her clothes, some money, and a diary. Putting on a hoodie over her shirt, she covered her head with the hood, slipped into her sneakers, locked the door, and moved toward the window.
The height wasn't too much-she could easily escape. She opened the window and jumped out.
The house wasn't big, nor did it have a backyard. As she landed on the street, bustling with shops and people, she quickly closed the window behind her. Of course, she couldn't lock it. Adjusting her bag on her shoulders and shoving her hands into the hoodie's pockets, she started walking.
She crossed her street and soon reached the one where she was supposed to meet him. Spotting him from a distance, she walked toward him, trying to stay calm.
"Finally, you're here. No one saw you, right?" he asked.
"No, thankfully. But let's just leave-it's not safe to stay here."
"Yeah, come on," he said, holding her hand as they headed toward the road.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"We're leaving the city," he replied.
"Aaron, are you sure your parents won't say anything?"
"Yes, I'm sure. We'll get married first, and then I'll take you home. That way, no one can say a word," he assured her. She nodded.
They stopped at a corner, waiting for a taxi. Elena held his hand tightly. She was scared-what they were doing was no small thing. They had taken a huge step, and there was no turning back.
Elena's POV
I'm scared. I don't know if what I did is right or wrong, but I had no other choice. I can't marry that old man-he's 46 or 47 years old, and he has a daughter my age. I'm just 25! The age gap is huge.
My father... I don't know what to say about him. He's mad, I guess. Just because he found out about Aaron, he's ready to ruin my life. I'm his daughter, but look at what he's doing to me. How can he even think like this?
We got into the taxi. My thoughts kept drifting to everything that had happened in the last two days. How quickly life can change. I just ran away from my marriage. I can't believe it-I still can't believe we actually did it.
Aaron is my college friend. We've been together for a year now. Everything with him is beautiful and memorable. And now, we're going to get married. I don't know if his parents will ever accept me, but... I just hope for the best.
My chain of thoughts broke as the car came to a sudden halt. I looked ahead to see a black BMW blocking the road.
"What the hell?"
"Let me check, sir," the driver said, stepping out of the car.
"What if he was sent by Dad?" I asked, clutching Aaron's hand tightly.
"Don't worry. He can't be. Look, he's a rich guy. Why would someone like him work for your dad? Let me see what's going on," Aaron said, stepping out of the car.
The man in the BMW didn't step out immediately. Aaron tried to open the door, but it was locked. I decided to get out as well to see what was happening.
"Man, what do you want? Get out or move your car. Why are you blocking the road?"
The road was narrow-too thin for two cars to pass simultaneously. I didn't know what this new problem was now.
"Hello! I'm talking to you. Are you even listening?" Aaron shouted.
Finally, the door opened. First, a pair of legs stepped out, and then the rest of the man's figure followed. He was lighting a cigarette with a lighter. Dressed in a suit, he exuded wealth and authority.
I turned around and noticed two more cars stopping behind our taxi. Four or five men, all dressed in similar suits, stepped out. They looked like bodyguards.
Wait...
What's going on?
"Who are you?" Aaron demanded.
The man didn't say a word-he was busy smoking. A moment later, the bodyguards grabbed us both.
"Hey! What are you doing? Let us go!" Aaron yelled.
I was terrified. Now I was certain-this man was sent by my father. Why else would he do this?
"Aaron!" I screamed in fear.
"Who are you? Leave us, you bastard! I'm warning you-let us go!"
I struggled to free myself, but there were too many of them. They forced us into a car, and I had no idea where we were being taken.
Oh God, what is this new problem now?
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